About

£3,665

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Hello! We're working on a graphic novel about a Deaf superheroine. We basically need your help with the print costs and hiring a BSL proof-reader to make sure our portrayal of her is accurate.

It's a good story. We think you'll like it:

So, we're in Edwardian London. Edward VII is on the throne and the British Empire is at its peak.

In this reality, superpowers and magic are very real, but most of the great and the good who are gifted with such talents probably aren't on your side. Particularly if you've got the guts to stand up to them.

Emily, a curiously strong Deaf girl from Deptford docks, discovers this for herself on the day her mother is kidnapped by a pair of peculiarly talented, but thoroughly unsavoury socialites. Now it is up to her and her friends to save her mother from a destiny far darker than dying.

The story is going to be released in two parts. Right now we need help publishing part one. The first book (the one this Kickstarter is all about) is going to be roughly 48 pages long (possibly a bit longer as we're allowing a bit of wiggle room for story pacing at this stage), perfect bound with a soft cover. The artwork will be black and white throughout to reflect the dark and shadowy nature of Emily's world.

We're aiming to launch it in May of 2016 in association with the East End Women's Museum in London. We are planning a cool launch party with some interesting speakers. More on this as the project progresses.

Sarah is drawing the book right now so we will be able to show you her progress throughout the campaign. For now we've got some preview pages that should give you an idea of the look of the book:

So, yeah. Black and white. Atmospheric. Grim and spooky. Kind of Sin Cityish in aesthetic, but with an angry teenage girl instead of a generic grumpy old man as the central protagonist.

Emily's got a really, really tough journey on her hands. We kind of feel bad for putting her through it, but we think it's going to be a brilliant read.

First off, we could do with some help with our printing costs. Pretty straight forward stuff, really. Initial aim is to raise enough money for a print run of 500 books. If we get more orders or are really over funded we'll be printing a lot more :)

We also want to hire an editor to make sure the book is the best it can be. A fresh, professional pair of eyes would be really useful. We really want to hire another Sarah, Sarah Logan. She's a writer who works at Manchester University, improving accessibility for students. Her writing is really very good.

Finally, and super important, the story is about a Deaf teenage girl. Howard is a fluent BSL user and Sarah was a teenage girl a while ago, but we're both hearing. With your help we want to pay a Deaf proof-reader/actor to go through the story and make sure Emily is grounded in more reality than we could manage on our own. It's going to be a big job for them and we want to pay properly rather than rely on favours.

We have some extra things we'd to do with the book now we are base-level funded:

£3000+ All book-level supporters also get a bookmark with the BSL alphabet for their reference. Yay!

£5000+ The book gets smart-looking end papers covered with useful signs for everyone to know.

£6000+ Fancy paper stock! We get to print the book on something that feels 'really nice' rather than just 'very nice'

They are both humanoids who met whilst they were in college. They have been itching to do a proper project together for years.

They look like this when they're being serious adults:

And like this when they think no one's looking:

We're going to get on with getting on with the book now. Thank you so much for your support!

Risks and challenges

Production time for the book is being funded by Arts Council England (thank you, Arts Council England! You are very lovely). As I am writing this campaign, the script has been finalised and I am currently filling my sketchbook with thumbnail layouts, rough pages and concept sketches of the Deeds Not Words world. This means as of writing, we don't have the completed book just yet.

If I keep to schedule then DNW part one should be finished comfortably by spring next year. We have about six months to final proposed deadline, which should give us plenty of time to make edits and revisions before the book goes to the printers.

There is always a chance that there will be a minor delay at the printing stage of the book if proofs aren't as perfect as we'd like. If the project needs a bit of extra time we'll take it there, but turnaround with these things is usually pretty quick so any hold ups shouldn't be too lengthy.

If all goes according to plan then the aim is to get advance copies of the book to people by the end of April.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £100 or more
About $154

DAPPER GENTLEMAN

Feeling a bit flash? Well then madam (or sir, if you prefer), step this way!

One of the original character concept sketches will be tucked into your book. One of a kind and drawn by Sarah. The character you get will be a surprise. You could get a nice one, you could get an evil one. Take a risk, see what you find.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £125 or more
About $193

MASTER OF YOUR OWN DESTINY

Don't like surprises? We quite understand. They can be most troublesome. But do not despair! For a few extra coins you may choose your concept sketch from a selection of Deeds Not Words characters. You will be contacted about this before we send orders out.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £175 or more
About $270

I WANT MORE

Gosh. Demanding, aren't we? Good. We like a person who knows what they want and doesn't just want what they know.

How does a portrait of yourself (or someone you know) as an Edwardian Lady, Gent or dockworker sound to you? We thought you'd like that. Drawn by either Sarah (or Howard), yours to keep. Let us know the character type you want and who you'd like to draw it. We will require a likeness of the portrait sitter if you would like it to be accurate.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £200 or more
About $309

BE AN EXTRA

Still not enough? How does being drawn into the Deeds Not Words world as a supporting cast member sound to you? Get your face in a book!

Sarah will need a likeness in order to draw you into the background. Your role in the book will be a surprise! You could be a villain. You could be a society lady. You could be a street urchin. Exciting!

As well as being lodged inside the story world for everyone to see, you will receive an print of that page of the book in the post, for you to display with pride (or to secretly gloat over. We won't judge you).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £250 or more
About $386

So you want to be drawn into the world. That's great. But you'd like to know a little more about your character and why they happen to be there on that page at that moment in time?

For a little extra, Howard will write a short back-story for your extra, which will arrive along with the rest of your goodies! Congratulations, you are no longer just a face in the crowd. You have purpose and motivation!